Grace

I know this is a blog on peace but this entry is about grace. I read a quote by Bill Johnson the other day that got me thinking. It said, 'Grace is not the ability to keep the law better. It is the enabling Presence that comes from favor to do what only God can do.' Like I said, that got me thinking. I've read some wonderful books on grace before, my favorite being Grace: The Power to Change by Jim Richards and I know he talks about this same thing in this book. On many occasions, though, I realize how I am still trying- through some good old elbow grease and determination - to just live my life 'better' and then calling it the grace of God. Sure, there will be some God thrown into the mix, but I have this growing hunger inside to realize the true grace of God and to see its outworking in my life. I want to do what 'only God can do' and I don't want to be left with ANY doubt who did it. I understand why Paul gloried in his weaknesses. When you know that you know that you only got through or accomplished what you did because of the grace of God, then that's when He can truly get the glory for your life. I know that I'm someone who is what you'd call 'gifted' and that is wonderful in many respects, but I also am not sure when I'm just doing something because I'm naturally good at it and when it's actually God's ability at work in me.

I've been rereading some John G Lake sermons recently and I love the thought processes he went through. He asked a lot of questions that provokes me to ask a lot of questions. One thing he wrestled with, and now I'm wrestling with too, is what makes Christianity different from all other religions. I have seen people use 'the Secret' to draw wealth and healing and fame to them, I've seen people like Kriss Angel do amazing stunts using mind over matter. Yet, I know that if people who don't know Jesus can do these things, there is more and I'm sure it has to do with the grace of God at work in me. John Lake came to the conclusion that Christianity is totally supernatural and that this is what separates it from all other religions. When Jesus rose again after being made MY sin and conquering death and hell, he ascended to the Father and now lives in an eternal glorified state and His power is at work in me to accomplish the SAME THING. Sin is conquered in me. Death is conquered in me. Sickness, disease, poverty and every curse is conquered in me. He has sent His Spirit in me to make me as He is NOW. I am only touching the tip of the iceberg I know, and my understanding of this is in an infantile state, but I KNOW that this is key. I don't know many- if any- Christians who are really living in this reality and it's only through reading these sermons and then Bill's quote the other day that the pieces are even 'falling into place' in a greater dimension in my life but I know that I'm onto something. It's big and it's going to change my life so watch this space... the grace of God is at work in me and I'm going to let it do what it's meant to do. I expect to see Him do things in me that I know beyond all shadow of doubt are His works, not mine. I'm expecting that I will learn to have more of a 'hands off' apporach when it comes to running my life, and I'm excited. Maybe this blog will have to change to one about 'grace and peace' but then again, that wouldn't be such a bad idea. ;)